NIGERIA: SENATE APPROVES DEATH PENALTY FOR KIDNAPPERS

September 28, 2017:

The Nigerian Senate approved death sentence for whoever engages in the act of kidnapping and a 30 years jail term for anybody that colludes with an abductor.
The lawmakers at the upper chamber of the National Assembly also passed a bill which outlaws abduction, wrongful restraint or confinement for ransom.
The bill – sponsored by Senator Isa Hamma Misau (APC-Bauchi) – was passed into law after a consideration of the report by Senate committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
It was also gathered that Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) presented the report of the committee on behalf of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters Senator David Umaru.
Presenting the report, Utazi said the Bill sought to prescribe stiff punishment for the offence.
He said the bill sought to combat and prevent any form of kidnapping in Nigeria by giving wider powers to the Inspector-General of Police to ensure adequate policing of the crime.
The bill in Clause 1 (3) stated: “Whoever is guilty of the offence and then results in the death of the victim shall be liable on conviction to be sentenced to death.”
Clause 5 (2) of the bill revealed: “Anyone who fails to produce any book, account, receipts, vouchers or other documents, which is in his possession or control shall be guilty of an offence.”
The person shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both fine and imprisonment.”
Clause 3 provides a 30- year jail term to anyone who colludes with abductor to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined.
The report was unanimously accepted by the lawmakers after a voice vote.